From phone apps to buyer beware, here's your Black Friday primer

JEFFREY CASSADYBUSINESS WRITER

Published: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 7:12 p.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 21, 2012 at 7:12 p.m.

Black Friday is often an exhausting experience for many shoppers. But, the sales can be worth it for those willing to brave the mayhem. Experts have offered a few tips to help deal-hunters get the most out of their money.

Plan ahead and continue to price-check while in the store

Any seasoned Black Friday shopper would probably tell you planning is key to a successful excursion. Scan the mountain of ad inserts from the Thursday newspaper before you go.

Newer technology, such as smartphones, gives consumers even more ways to arm themselves with information –– even while they're shopping, said James Willcox, senior editor for electronics at Consumer Reports, which tests and reviews consumer products.

“The one great thing is that compared to a decade ago, there's so much more info now,” Willcox said. “New in the last 10 years is now you can bring a smartphone into the store and use (applications) to comparison shop.”

Applications –– or “apps” –– such as RedLaser and ShopKick, will let you price-shop in the store. With RedLaser, for instance, you can scan bar codes at a store and immediately compare the store's price to prices at competing stores nearby. If the store you're in matches prices, it wouldn't hurt to show a sales associate the competitor's price, Willcox said.

Additionally, social media can be a powerful tool for snagging good deals, Willcox said. Retailers frequently offer coupons and other discounts to Facebook users who “like” their profile.

It doesn't hurt to haggle

Deeply discounted items –– known as “door-busters” –– are usually sold at rock-bottom prices. Retailers are, therefore, unlikely to go any lower than the advertised price.

However, retailers have a little more wiggle-room with their more expensive, non-discounted items. If you're unable to snag that door-buster television or computer, it might be worthwhile to try to get the store to mark down or price-match the more expensive model, Willcox said.

“You may not get the (door-buster) TV you wanted,” Willcox said. “So, negotiate a better price on a fuller-featured model. (Retailers) don't want you to leave the store empty-handed.”

Willcox also suggested apps and circulars as means to convince the store to match a competitor's price for the more expensive item.

However, that's not to say that you should automatically go for a more expensive model just because the store sold out of the limited-quantity door-buster item you wanted.

“Don't get pushed toward a more expensive model,” Willcox said.

A cable is a cable is a cable

So, you got your door-buster 3-D high-definition television. Now, you have to buy the hook-ups for it, and those cable prices can quickly eat into your savings.

High-speed cables, such as the HDMI cables which allow televisions to display Blu-ray movies and video games in high definition, can be expensive. Don't let the store aggravate the problem by selling you a more expensive cable that provides no discernible advantage over a cheaper one, Willcox said.

“There is no such thing as a 3-D cable,” Willcox said. “Any high-speed cable will do.” Willcox said store associates will sometimes characterize an expensive HDMI or other high-speed cable as a “3-D cable,” implying that the more expensive one is necessary to watch 3-D movies and play 3-D games. In truth, any HDMI cable –– regardless of price –– is 3-D- and high-definition-capable.

Willcox said stores push the more expensive cables and accessories to offset the discounted price of the Blu-ray player, television or video game console.

Willcox also said buying the cable ahead of time can save you money. He suggested checking websites, such as MonoPrice.com or BlueJeansCable.com, to compare prices before you head to the store.

Check the model number

See a Black Friday ad for a discounted television that looks very much like one you've had your eye on for a while? Don't start celebrating yet. Instead, write down the television's model number and run it through a quick Google search.

Stores will often sell special stripped-down items that look like more expensive models as door-busters, said Jon Vincent, spokesperson for BlackFriday.com, a website that publishes Black Friday advertisements.

You can tell if the model is sold year-round if your Google search yields a listing on the manufacturer's website. If the search just turns up a bunch of Black Friday ads, then the item is a special Black Friday model, Vincent said.

Still, if you're willing to live with fewer HDMI ports or other pared-back features, the low-price model can be a good deal, Vincent said.

“In general, it's not that bad of a buy,” Vincent said, adding that the cheaper models usually suffer only from fewer features, not from inferior quality.

Watch the toys

Some Black Friday sales are better than others. And, prices on some items are likely to drop even further as the holiday season moves along.

What items are sporting the least impressive sales this year?

“They might actually be the toys,” Vincent said. “Most of the toy deals we've seen haven't been that great this year. They might be better closer to Christmas.”

Vincent added it's likely that electronics will be at the lowest prices of the season on Black Friday.

Know the seller and the return policy

Savvy shoppers might notice that many Black Friday sales are available online.

However, you should be wary of unfamiliar websites hawking hot items, even if they're the only place you can find the item you're looking for, Willcox said.

“If you're buying from a .¤.¤. retailer you've not heard of before, keep in mind that they might not stand behind their product the way a well-known brick-and-mortar or online retailer would,” Willcox said.

Sometimes, these no-name retailers sell gray-market goods, products that are not approved for sale in the United States. Often, these goods have voided manufacturer warranties, meaning that, if a problem arises, you're stuck with whatever guarantee the retailer gave you. And, if the retailer is a fly-by-night operation, you could be out of luck.

“The tip-off is that the product has a retailer warranty and not a manufacturer warranty,” Willcox said.

Additionally, you should be aware how a store's online return policy differs from its policy for in-store purchases, said John Fleming, spokesperson for the Tallahassee-based Florida Retail Federation, which represents retailers throughout the state.

“Retailers have had to tighten up (their return policies) because of fraud –– particularly return fraud,” Fleming said.

That means a purchase made online and returned to the store might only yield store credit, Fleming said.

“If you're a good shopper, it shouldn't affect you,” Fleming said. “Save all your receipts and documentation. If you use a credit card, take it with you when you make the return.”

<p>Black Friday is often an exhausting experience for many shoppers. But, the sales can be worth it for those willing to brave the mayhem. Experts have offered a few tips to help deal-hunters get the most out of their money.</p><p><b>Plan ahead and continue to price-check while in the store</b> </p><p> Any seasoned Black Friday shopper would probably tell you planning is key to a successful excursion. Scan the mountain of ad inserts from the Thursday newspaper before you go. </p><p> Newer technology, such as smartphones, gives consumers even more ways to arm themselves with information –– even while they're shopping, said James Willcox, senior editor for electronics at Consumer Reports, which tests and reviews consumer products. </p><p> “The one great thing is that compared to a decade ago, there's so much more info now,” Willcox said. “New in the last 10 years is now you can bring a smartphone into the store and use (applications) to comparison shop.” </p><p> Applications –– or “apps” –– such as RedLaser and ShopKick, will let you price-shop in the store. With RedLaser, for instance, you can scan bar codes at a store and immediately compare the store's price to prices at competing stores nearby. If the store you're in matches prices, it wouldn't hurt to show a sales associate the competitor's price, Willcox said. </p><p> Additionally, social media can be a powerful tool for snagging good deals, Willcox said. Retailers frequently offer coupons and other discounts to Facebook users who “like” their profile.</p><p><b>It doesn't hurt to haggle</b> </p><p> Deeply discounted items –– known as “door-busters” –– are usually sold at rock-bottom prices. Retailers are, therefore, unlikely to go any lower than the advertised price. </p><p> However, retailers have a little more wiggle-room with their more expensive, non-discounted items. If you're unable to snag that door-buster television or computer, it might be worthwhile to try to get the store to mark down or price-match the more expensive model, Willcox said. </p><p> “You may not get the (door-buster) TV you wanted,” Willcox said. “So, negotiate a better price on a fuller-featured model. (Retailers) don't want you to leave the store empty-handed.” </p><p> Willcox also suggested apps and circulars as means to convince the store to match a competitor's price for the more expensive item. </p><p> However, that's not to say that you should automatically go for a more expensive model just because the store sold out of the limited-quantity door-buster item you wanted. </p><p> “Don't get pushed toward a more expensive model,” Willcox said.</p><p><b>A cable is a cable is a cable</b></p><p>So, you got your door-buster 3-D high-definition television. Now, you have to buy the hook-ups for it, and those cable prices can quickly eat into your savings. </p><p> High-speed cables, such as the HDMI cables which allow televisions to display Blu-ray movies and video games in high definition, can be expensive. Don't let the store aggravate the problem by selling you a more expensive cable that provides no discernible advantage over a cheaper one, Willcox said. </p><p> “There is no such thing as a 3-D cable,” Willcox said. “Any high-speed cable will do.” Willcox said store associates will sometimes characterize an expensive HDMI or other high-speed cable as a “3-D cable,” implying that the more expensive one is necessary to watch 3-D movies and play 3-D games. In truth, any HDMI cable –– regardless of price –– is 3-D- and high-definition-capable. </p><p> Willcox said stores push the more expensive cables and accessories to offset the discounted price of the Blu-ray player, television or video game console. </p><p> Willcox also said buying the cable ahead of time can save you money. He suggested checking websites, such as MonoPrice.com or BlueJeansCable.com, to compare prices before you head to the store.</p><p><b>Check the model number<b></p><p>See a Black Friday ad for a discounted television that looks very much like one you've had your eye on for a while? Don't start celebrating yet. Instead, write down the television's model number and run it through a quick Google search. </p><p> Stores will often sell special stripped-down items that look like more expensive models as door-busters, said Jon Vincent, spokesperson for BlackFriday.com, a website that publishes Black Friday advertisements. </p><p> You can tell if the model is sold year-round if your Google search yields a listing on the manufacturer's website. If the search just turns up a bunch of Black Friday ads, then the item is a special Black Friday model, Vincent said. </p><p> Still, if you're willing to live with fewer HDMI ports or other pared-back features, the low-price model can be a good deal, Vincent said. </p><p> “In general, it's not that bad of a buy,” Vincent said, adding that the cheaper models usually suffer only from fewer features, not from inferior quality.</p><p><b>Watch the toys</b></p><p>Some Black Friday sales are better than others. And, prices on some items are likely to drop even further as the holiday season moves along. </p><p> What items are sporting the least impressive sales this year? </p><p> “They might actually be the toys,” Vincent said. “Most of the toy deals we've seen haven't been that great this year. They might be better closer to Christmas.” </p><p> Vincent added it's likely that electronics will be at the lowest prices of the season on Black Friday.</p><p><b>Know the seller and the return policy</b></p><p>Savvy shoppers might notice that many Black Friday sales are available online. </p><p> However, you should be wary of unfamiliar websites hawking hot items, even if they're the only place you can find the item you're looking for, Willcox said. </p><p> “If you're buying from a .¤.¤. retailer you've not heard of before, keep in mind that they might not stand behind their product the way a well-known brick-and-mortar or online retailer would,” Willcox said. </p><p> Sometimes, these no-name retailers sell gray-market goods, products that are not approved for sale in the United States. Often, these goods have voided manufacturer warranties, meaning that, if a problem arises, you're stuck with whatever guarantee the retailer gave you. And, if the retailer is a fly-by-night operation, you could be out of luck. </p><p> “The tip-off is that the product has a retailer warranty and not a manufacturer warranty,” Willcox said. </p><p> Additionally, you should be aware how a store's online return policy differs from its policy for in-store purchases, said John Fleming, spokesperson for the Tallahassee-based Florida Retail Federation, which represents retailers throughout the state. </p><p> “Retailers have had to tighten up (their return policies) because of fraud –– particularly return fraud,” Fleming said. </p><p> That means a purchase made online and returned to the store might only yield store credit, Fleming said. </p><p> “If you're a good shopper, it shouldn't affect you,” Fleming said. “Save all your receipts and documentation. If you use a credit card, take it with you when you make the return.”</p>